Frame Building Industry News

Manufacturers sign up for RIMA-I’s verification program Innovative Energy, Covertech, Reflectix, Inc. and STS Coatings are among companies that, so far, have taken part in a product verification program launched earlier this year by The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA-I).

The program allows manufacturers an opportunity to have products verified using a third-party accredited laboratory. RIMA-I launched the program because many business professionals and consumers wanted to know if the products they purchase are properly tested and will perform as expected.

This program identifies reflective products that have fulfilled test requirements in accordance with current applicable ASTM standards. Products are classified in one of four categories: reflective insulation, radiant barrier, interior radiation control coating (IRCC) or facer materials.

More information is available from RIMA at www.rimainternational.org United Rentals expands?safety training for customers United Rentals has implemented key initiatives, including new web portal and curriculum development, that expand customer access to safety training in the United States and Canada. The equipment rental industry’s largest training platform has been further enhanced with: • A new online portal with downloadable schedule and email enrollment. The Training and Safety site is found in the Service Center on unitedrentals.com. • Expanded availability of OSHA 10-Hour Construction Training, now offered through United Rentals certified instructors across the U.S.; • A new Excavator Training and Certification program, including instruction in the safe handling of heavy equipment and productivity techniques, scheduled to launch September 1.

To learn more about on-site or off-site training programs available from United Rentals, visit www.unitedrentals.com.

NRCA releases latest?employment law guide The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has released “Employment Law: A Legal Guide for Roofing Contractors, Second Edition,” a comprehensive guide that offers an overview of the most recent and pertinent federal laws applicable to business management and employment relationships.

The book is organized according to an employment relationship’s major stages and addresses topics such as the hiring process, immigration issues, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions and employment terminations, union issues and personnel records.

The guide is $195 for NRCA members and $295 for nonmembers.

For information or to order the guide, visit www.shop.nrca.net or contact NRCA’s Customer Service Department at info@nrca.net or 866 275-6722. Ex-POW to keynote NRCA’s Las Vegas event The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has booked Dave Carey as the keynote speaker at the NRCA luncheon during NRCA’s 124th Annual Convention and the 2011 International Roofing Expo February 14-18, in Las Vegas. Sponsored by CNA, the luncheon will be held Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Carey, a retired Navy captain, was shot down as he piloted a Navy plane during the Vietnam War. Carey’s aircraft was destroyed over North Vietnam by a surface-to-air missile and he spent over five years as a prisoner of war in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” He’ll share his experiences and the lessons he has learned.

The luncheon will include presentations of the 2011 J.A. Piper and Charlie Raymond awards, as well as NRCA’s member meeting and elections.

Barcelona conference wraps up on successful note Participants and guests from 14 countries attended the 2010 International Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Conference (I-RIM Conference) held in June in Barcelona, Spain.

Hosted by the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA-I), the conference featured presenters on topics such as The State of Reflectives; Thermal Performance: Analysis and Testing; Radiant Barriers: Experiments, Modeling & Simulation; Determination of Thermal Emittance; Stability of Metalized Films and Foils; Large-Scale Testing; Applications Around the World; current and ongoing research and more.

RIMA International looks forward to hosting the next I-RIM Conference to be held in 2012.

For more information on RIMA International and the International Reflective Insulation Manufacturers (I-RIM) Conference and/or to be added to the invite list for future association meetings and events, contact the RIMA-I office at rima@rima.net or call 800 279-4123.

Lowe’s supports SkillsUSA?in training future workers Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has made a $10 million commitment through 2014, according to an announcement by SkillsUSA. The multi-year commitment was made at SkillsUSA’s National Student Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Mo.

The grant represents Lowe’s investment in SkillsUSA and its students. It furthers the SkillsUSA program in communities, provides awareness of technical careers and training opportunities.

Lowe’s and its partners are helping to solve an impending skilled worker shortage by investing in trades education.

Alliance to Save Energy hosts September policy summit The Alliance to Save Energy’s 2010 Policy Summit will be held Tuesday, September 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C.

Topics will focus on energy efficiency as global leaders assemble for a discussion on the role energy efficiency must play in successfully creating a smart grid that reaches all end-use sectors.

There is no admission fee for attending the 2010 Summit; however, you must register online to secure a place. Space is limited. For more information, visit www.ase.org/summit. ACE program helps train future industry professionals A research study conducted by ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) Mentor Program indicates that ACE is not only accomplishing its mission of “engaging, exciting, and enlightening high school students to pursue careers in architecture, construction, and engineering,” it’s achieving additional results, including increasing high school graduation rates, and diversification in the architecture, construction and engineering industries.

Highlights of the research, conducted via a survey in January 2010, include: • ACE participants graduate high school at a higher rate and attend college at a higher rate than their non-ACE counterparts; • Female ACE participants enter college engineering programs at double the national rate of non-ACE counterparts; • More minorities and low-income students are enrolled in ACE than other after-school programs as a whole; • Nearly 10 percent of all college freshmen who intended to enroll in architecture programs in 2009 were ACE alumni.

According to Pamela R. Mullender, President and CEO of the ACE Mentor Program, “Given that the construction industry is the backbone of this country — the largest employer in the U.S. — and that ACE includes two of the fields that rank among the top 10 paying jobs for students out of college, and four of the fields that rank among the eight top- paying jobs that do not require a degree, one can conclude that, as the program continues to grow, it will have an increasingly positive impact on vital American industries and life within the U.S.”